FINAL WORD

By now, you must have seen that corruption is equivalent to selling one’s soul to the devil.  The costs are too high; and, the repercussions negative and endless.  On a positive note, you must have also realised that living a corruption-free life is possible; and that defeating corruption is not complicated, if you live a God-centred life.   

That is why ‘Integrity Capital’, a relatively new concept, becomes so important.  The world is waking up to this term after discovering that ‘integrity’ significantly contributes to the bottom-line performance of entities.  Apparently, officials that score high on integrity are becoming the darlings of stakeholders, a thing which has hiked the demand for such officials making them more employable and marketable in the work arena than those whose reputations have been dented by a corruptive past.  Further, in a world where corruption seems to be the order of the day, those with integrity are scarce.  This is where our opportunity lies…!  If you and I intentionally keep ourselves free of any form of corruption, thence maintaining our integrity, we shall be the most preferred officials of choice.   

Much as it is that high integrity capital is a plus in the public domain, it is also true in the heavenly domain.  In fact, the rewards for those displaying ‘integrity capital’ are explicitly stated in scriptures.  We shall mention a few as we close. 

For instance, Isaiah 33:15-16 says (AMP): ¹⁵He who walks righteously and speaks with integrity, Who rejects gain from fraud and from oppression, Who shakes his hand free from the taking of bribes, Who stops his ears from hearing about bloodshed and shuts his eyes to avoid looking upon evil; ¹⁶He will dwell on the heights, His place of defense will be the fortress of rocks, His bread will be given him; His water will be permanent.

Then there is Psalms 15:5 which reads (AMPC): [He who] does not put out his money for interest [to one of his own people] and who will not take a bribe against the innocent. He who does these things shall never be moved.  When you read other versions or translations of this rich verse, then you learn that ‘not being moved’ means being steadfast, unshakeable and immovable.  It is also about not being able to stumble; always standing firm, strong and resilient.  Further, some convey that you will never be toppled nor destroyed; teaching us that when the dust settles, you will always be a winner and will never get blacklisted.

There are more benefits from Integrity Capital.  Proverbs 28:10 says (CJB)… the pure-hearted will inherit good, .  Moreover, Proverbs 15:27 assures us that (AMP): ... he who hates bribes [and does not receive nor pay them] will live. 

What comes out clearly is that Integrity Capital is not only ‘a must-have’ for fighting against corruption, but that it is important for career development and life in general.

Building your Integrity Capital is not hard.  All one has to do is to develop a relationship with God and guard that bond as a highly-valued treasure.  That is what 2 Timothy 1:14 means.  It reads (AMP): Guard [with greatest care] and keep unchanged, the treasure [that precious truth] which has been entrusted to you [that is, the good news about salvation through personal faith in Christ Jesus], through [the help of] the Holy Spirit who dwells in us. 

Before we go, in case you have been involved in any corruptive dealings and would want to live a better life, you can repent from this moment and God will forgive you instantly.  See what Proverbs 28:13 says (TLB): A man who refuses to admit his mistakes can never be successful. But if he confesses and forsakes them, he gets another chance.  There is a heaven to get into and with God in the centre of your life, your heaven starts right here.  That is what Jesus meant when He said in Luke 17:21 that (AMPC): ..the kingdom of God is within you [in your hearts] and among you [surrounding you].

In closing, it is possible to defeat corruption.  It begins with us.  It begins with you!